"Peter's too engaged to take you, Clare dear."
"I dare say Jerry will come--" this from Clare.
"Ah! yes, Mr. Cardillac is always ready to take any trouble, Peter."
"If you'd let me know earlier, Clare, that you wanted me."
Mrs. Rossiter. "Oh! don't put yourself out, Peter. It would never do to
break an engagement. Only it seems such a long time since you and Clare--"
Peter. "We'll go to-morrow afternoon, Clare."
Clare. "You're so gloomy when you do come, Peter. It's like going out with
a ghost."
Mrs. Rossiter. "Ah! Peter has his work, dear--so much hangs on the next
book, doesn't it, Peter? Naturally the last one didn't quite--"
Peter. "Look here, Clare, I'll chuck this engagement."
Clare. "No, thank you, Peter--Jerry and I will be all right. You can join
us if you like--"
The fact was that Peter wasn't tactful. He showed Mrs. Rossiter much too
plainly that he disliked her intensely. He had no idea that he showed it
her. He thought, indeed, that he was very skilful in his disguise of his
feelings but Mrs. Rossiter knew and soon Clare knew also.
Peter had no conception of subtlety in the matter. It was clear to him that
he had once been devoted to Clare and she to him, it was clear also that
that relationship had recently been dimmed. Now that Stephen was gone that
early intimacy must be restored and the fact that he was willing on his
side to do anything to bring it back seemed to him reason enough for its
restoration.
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